Stacked microfluidic device

Abstract

The microfluidic dispensing device includes a patterned seal having a specified arrangement of holes and groves, and an connection plate having passages corresponding to the holes in the patterned seal. The patterned seal and the connection plate are configured to stack onto a planar substrate, such as a glass slide, and are sealed together and against the substrate by a negative pressure, or vacuum, applied through the connection plate. When the patterned seal is secured against the substrate, the grooves in the patterned seal form a network of channels for delivering fluids to specified regions on the substrate. The connection plate preferably includes one or more connectors for attaching fluid and/or vacuum lines, and optionally includes one or more sensors to monitor operation of the device. The system of the present invention also includes a device for automatically assembling and handling the microfluidic dispensing device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A microfluidic device, comprising: 
 a connection plate having at least one port passing through said connection plate; and    a patterned seal having a passage corresponding to said port, said patterned seal configured to sealingly attach between said connection plate and a substrate, wherein at least two of the group consisting of said connection plate, said patterned seal, and the substrate are held together by vacuum.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said patterned seal further comprises at least one groove on a surface distal said connection plate, such that said at least one groove forms a at least one fluid channel communicating with said substrate when said patterned seal attaches to said substrate.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the substrate is planar.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the substrate is a glass slide.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate coupled to the patterned seal.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the substrate includes an array of one or more chemicals or biomolecules attached to a surface adjacent to said patterned seal.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said patterned seal removably seals against said substrate by the vacuum.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said patterned seal removably seals against said connection plate by the vacuum.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein an outer surface of said connection plate includes a connector communicating with the port, said connector for coupling a fluid source or a vacuum source with said port.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of said connection plate includes a connector communicating with the port, said connector for coupling a fluid source or a vacuum source with said port.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the connector is configured to attach to a vacuum source for providing a vacuum to the device.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising the vacuum source attached to the connector.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said connection plate further comprises a second port, and said patterned seal further comprises a second passage corresponding to the second port, wherein said second port and said second passage provide a fluid to said substrate.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said patterned seal comprises a second port for providing a fluid or a vacuum.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a vacuum source coupled to said second port for providing vacuum.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a fluid source coupled to said second port for providing fluid.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate comprises a second port for providing a fluid or vacuum.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising a vacuum source coupled to said second port for providing vacuum.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising a fluid source coupled to said second port for providing fluid.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal control device integrated within at least said connection plate, said patterned seal, or said substrate.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor integrated within at least said connection plate, said patterned seal, or said substrate.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising an actuator integrated within at least said connection plate, said patterned seal, or said substrate.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator integrated within at least said connection plate, said patterned seal, or said substrate.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said connection plate includes a micropositioning system.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said micropositioning system is a surface feature for aiding alignment.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said patterned seal includes a surface feature for aiding alignment with said connection plate.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said patterned seal includes a micropositioning system.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein said micropositioning system is a surface feature for aiding alignment.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate includes a micropositioning system.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said micropositioning system is a surface feature for aiding alignment.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of substrates and a plurality of patterned seals attached to form a desired combination of layers.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein at least one of said plurality of patterned seals is bonded with at least one substrate by vacuum.  
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 31 , further comprising a plurality of connection plates, wherein each of said plurality of connection plates attaches with at least one substrate or patterned seal.  
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein at least one of said plurality of connection plates bonds with at least one patterned seal by vacuum.  
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of connection plates, wherein at least one of said plurality of connection plates attaches with at least one patterned seal.  
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein at least one of said plurality of connection plates bonds with said at least one patterned seal by vacuum.  
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the patterned seal is integral with the connection plate.  
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein said patterned seal further comprises a network of grooves that communicate with said substrate when said patterned seal attaches to said substrate.  
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein the substrate is planar.  
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the substrate is a glass slide.  
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 37 , further comprising the substrate.  
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein said patterned seal removably seals against said substrate by the vacuum.  
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 42 , further comprising a vacuum source communicating with said integrated connector plate and patterned seal.  
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein an outer surface of said connection plate includes a connector communicating with the port, said connector for coupling a fluid source or a vacuum source with said port.  
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 44 , further comprising a vacuum source attached to the connector.  
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 44 , further comprising a fluid source attached to said connector.  
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 37 , further comprising a thermal control device integrated within at least said connection plate, said patterned seal, or said substrate.  
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 37 , further comprising a sensor integrated within at least said connection plate, said patterned seal, or said substrate.  
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 48 , further comprising an actuator integrated within at least said connection plate, said patterned seal, or said substrate.  
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 37 , further comprising an actuator integrated within at least said connection plate, said patterned seal, or said substrate.  
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 37 , further comprising a plurality of substrates and a plurality of patterned seals attached to form a desired combination of layers.  
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 51 , wherein at least one of said plurality of patterned seals is bonded with at least one substrate by vacuum.  
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 52 , further comprising a plurality of connection plates, wherein each of said plurality of connection plates attaches with at least one substrate or patterned seal.  
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein at least one of said plurality of connection plates bonds with said at least one substrate or patterned seal by vacuum.  
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 37 , further comprising a plurality of connection plates, wherein each of said plurality of connection plates attaches with at least one substrate or patterned seal.  
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein at least one of said plurality of connection plates bonds with said at least one substrate or patterned seal by vacuum.  
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein said substrate comprises an array of one or more chemicals or biomolecules attached to a surface adjacent to said patterned seal.  
     
     
         58 . A microfluidic device, comprising: 
 a connection plate having at least one fluid port and a vacuum port passing through the connection plate from a first side to a second side of said connection plate;    a patterned seal adjacent to the second side of said connection plate, said patterned seal having a vacuum passage communicating with the vacuum port, a fluid passage communicating with the fluid port, and a network of grooves communicating with the fluid passage; and    a substrate sealed against said patterned seal such that said network of grooves form a network of fluid channels communicating with discrete positions on a surface of said substrate, wherein vacuum applied through said vacuum port removably bonds said substrate with said patterned seal.    
     
     
         59 . A microfluidic device, comprising: 
 a connection plate having at least one fluid port and a vacuum port passing through the connection plate from a first side to a second side of said connection plate; and    a patterned seal adjacent to the second side of said connection plate, said patterned seal having a vacuum passage communicating with the vacuum port, a fluid passage communicating with the fluid port, and a network of grooves communicating with the fluid passage,    wherein said connection cover seals against said patterned seal such that the network of grooves forms a network of fluid channels communicating with discrete positions on a surface of a substrate, wherein vacuum applied through the vacuum port removably bonds said connection cover with said patterned seal.    
     
     
         60 . A microfluidic device, comprising: 
 a connection plate having at least one fluid port and two vacuum ports passing through the connection plate from a first side to a second side of said connection plate;    a patterned seal adjacent to the second side of said connection plate, said patterned seal having vacuum passages communicating with the vacuum ports, a fluid passage communicating with the fluid port, and a network of grooves communicating with the fluid passage; and    a substrate sealed against said patterned seal such that the network of grooves form a network of fluid channels communicating with discrete positions on a surface of said substrate,    wherein vacuum applied through the vacuum ports removably bonds said patterned seal with said substrate and with said connection plate.    
     
     
         61 . The device of  claim 60 , wherein said substrate comprises an array of one or more chemicals or biomolecules attached to a surface adjacent to said patterned seal.